The UK government is to pay compensation to the family of a ten year old Afghan boy who was bayoneted by a British soldier in what was described as an appalling attack. Grenadier Guardsman Daniel Crook was jailed for 18 months and could not explain why he carried out the attack on the boy - other than claiming he was hungover from drinking vodka. The MoD have agreed to pay the family a sum which is yet to be agreed after the family say they have had months of turmoil and the boy has missed months of school. During the court marshal trial it was discovered that Crook had been treated by a doctor due to his drinking session and the following morning his unit left him behind. However he chose to follow them later after arming himself with grenades and a bayonet. His rifle had been removed from him as a safety measure. Crook encountered the boy and bayoneted him after he failed to stop when asked. He later admitted the attack to his unit and could not say why he did it.

Banks have started training their staff ahead of new rules which require banks, building societies and credit unions to inform customers about their compensation options if the lender goes bust. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) will cover savers for up to £85,000 for single accounts and £170,000 for a joint account as well as covering insurance policies and investments for loss of interest. Posters and stickers will have to be displayed in all banks as part of the new rules and staff will need to take part in training programs so they can inform their customers. Mark Neale from the FSCS has commented that the recent banking crisis has shown how important it is that customers are informed on this aspect of compensation. Peter Tyler from the British Bankers Association says that the material in banks should be highly visible to customers and that some of the may not be aware of the rules surrounding their savings.

Research carried out by support services company PanaceaIFA has found that 97% of its members believe that there should be more transparency about how the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) arrived at its figure for its 2012/2013 levy. Earlier this year the FSCS announced its levy for the current year but did not break down the costs into wages, pensions, administration and actual claim payments. The levy is there to pay customers affected by the actions of financial services companies. Many of the respondents also felt they were being unfairly penalised by the levy. Despite this, 64% of those who were questioned admitted they do not have their own cover for mistakes as they see the levy as being the first stop for their customers rather than a last resort. Many IFAs have suggested that the levy should be added to the customers bill as a part of the product they are purchasing.

A man who has been fighting for compensation for eight years has finally received a £1 million payment. Kenny Jordan was left paralysed after a car hit his motorbike in 2004. Since then he has been confined to a wheelchair. In 2005 he was given a payment of £512,000 from the insurance company for the car driver which was secured by the solicitor firm Clarke Wilmott. However this firm was later accused of professional negligence and have been ordered to pay Mr Jordan a further £500,000. Clarke Wilmot claim that Mr Jordan was told about his options before he chose to settle for £512,000 in 2005 and he made the decision to accept the risk involved. The firm points out that the further settlement has been accepted without any admission of liability on their part. Mr Jordan has said that the money will allow him to live a more full life and will pay for the extra care he needs.